CLEVELAND -- A playoff contender in September, the Indians drew their largest crowd in almost a month and gave fans something to cheer about. Ethan Pocic Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cleveland leads Texas by a half-game for the ALs second wild card. The Indians, who have won eight of their last 10, trail Tampa Bay by a half-game for the wild-card lead. "Theres nothing like that atmosphere," Nick Swisher said. "Weve got to keep winning, but Im telling you, man, when you have fan support like that its so easy to get up for games. Were so happy everybody showed up and everybody had a great time." Swisher, who scored a run, had a hit and walked twice, picked up the tab for a postgame fireworks show. Despite being in the playoff race, Cleveland went into Saturday 14th among AL teams in attendance at 19,317, ahead of only Tampa Bay (18,457), according to STATS. Saturdays crowd of 26,611 was the Indians largest at home since 26,870 watched a game against Minnesota on Aug. 24. "It was really welcome," manager Terry Francona said. "I think players probably appreciate that. There was a little extra energy tonight. This time of year that cant hurt anybody." Swisher and several teammates tossed miniature baseballs into the stands following the game. The Indians passed Texas with Fridays rain-shortened 2-1 win, moving into a wild-card spot for the first time since before play on Aug. 5. Following Sundays series finale, Cleveland hosts the Chicago White Sox for two games before closing the regular season with four games at Minnesota. "As close as we are, we can almost taste it," Kazmir said. "So you want to go out and give it everything youve got." Francona has a simple philosophy when it comes to dealing with a playoff chase. "When we win, were fine, when we lose, you hope," he said. "Its not do or die. Its do, or it hurts." Houston, a major league-worst 51-104, is on a season-high eight-game losing streak and has totalled just 12 runs during the skid. Houston is three losses from matching the club record set last season. The Astros scored when Chris Carter homered against Joe Smith with two outs in the ninth. Kazmir (9-9) struck out 10 and walked two. He had been 1-5 with a 5.82 ERA in his previous seven starts. He gave up Jonathan Villars single to start the game, then included a double-play grounder from Jose Altuve and didnt allow another runner until a single opening the fifth by Carter, who had three hits. Kazmir, who was pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters in an independent league last season, has far exceeded the Indians expectations. "This is exciting," Francona said. "Knowing Kaz, the bigger the game, hes not going to shy away from that." "You definitely have to tip your hat to Kazmir tonight," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He had an explosive fastball and did a tremendous job with his breakaway stuff." Cody Allen relieved following to L.J. Hoes leadoff double in the eighth. Brantleys home run capped Clevelands three-run first inning. Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall also drove in runs for Cleveland. Paul Clemens (4-6) allowed four runs in 4 2-3 innings in his fourth start of the season after making 30 appearances out of the bullpen. NOTES: Francona said RHP Justin Masterson (strained left oblique) likely will throw a simulated game Sunday or Monday. Its possible Masterson, who left his start against Baltimore on Sept. 2 in the second inning, will be ready to pitch in relief before the regular season ends. ... Francona said he contacted Boston manager John Farrell after the Red Sox clinched the AL East on Friday night. Farrell was Bostons pitching coach during Franconas tenure as manager and the two are friends. ... Astros 3B Matt Dominguez (left hand) returned to the lineup after sitting out one game. He was struck on the left hand Thursday by a pitch from Indians RHP Chris Perez. "Matt said its still a little sore, but hes a pretty tough guy," Porter said. Dominguez was hitless in four at-bats. ... Astros LHP Erik Bedard (4-11) takes on Indians RHP Corey Kluber (9-5) in the four-game series finale Sunday. Jimmy Graham Jersey . New Zealand brushed aside England 26-7 to win the event and reclaim top spot in the overall standings. The All Blacks, the defending World Series champions, won their third tournament this season in style, running four tries past England to claim their 11th Cup championship in Hong Kong and first since 2011. Dion Jordan Jersey . Justine finished first with a score of 22.44 while Chloe was second with 21.66 points. Defending champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S., was third at 21.49. A third Dufour-Lapointe sister, Maxime, failed to make the final group and finished 12th while Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City was 10th. http://www.footballseahawksfanatics.com/authentic-tyler-lockett-seahawks-jersey/ . The 6-foot-10 centre who won an NBA title with the Miami Heat was voted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday, adding that honour to becoming a board member at his alma mater. VANCOUVER -- It was a case of two points lost rather than a point gained for the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Montreal Impact came into Wednesday with the worst record in Major League Soccer, but managed to hold the high-powered Whitecaps to a 0-0 draw in a dreary match that seemed destined to remain goalless after just a few minutes. "It wasnt very enjoyable watching it, was it?" Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson asked the media afterwards. "I didnt enjoy watching it and I dont think the players enjoyed playing in it. Bad day at the office I think we call it. We take a point." In reality it was a missed opportunity for Vancouver (5-2-7), which entered play having scored nine goals over its last three contests, but looked flat coming out of the MLSs World Cup hiatus that resulted in an 18-day layoff. "We were hoping that the break didnt have any impact on us but obviously we have to say after this match it looked like it did," said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. "Definitely not the result we were looking for. We were definitely hoping for a win at home but this just shows you theres no easy games in MLS. I think we took it a little bit too lightly today." Ousted was forced to make a number of key saves early as the Whitecaps -- who had not played since June 7 -- looked asleep at the switch in the first half. Vancouver eventually got on the front foot as the game wore on, but it wasnt enough to earn a sixth victory on the season. "Well take the positives from it. We kept a clean sheet and thats eight games unbeaten now," said Whitecaps defender Andy OBrien. "I think its a sign ... that if you dont play well make sure you dont get beat." Montreal (2-7-5) entered the night last in MLS and remains winless on the road in 2014, but gutted out a hard-fought point. "I thought we defended very well and were committed to that part of the game (and) also had some very good chances to get the three points," said Impact head coach Frank Klopas. "I felt in the end we got a point in a difficult place and now we have to continue." The result is a disappointment for Vancouver, which occupies a Western Conference playoff spot and have games in hand on every other team currently in a post-season position. The Whitecaps travels to Colorado on Saturday to take on the Rapids, one of the teams theyre battling in the standings. After a first half that showed some considerable rust on the hosts, Vancouver came out with renewed vigour after the break. Whitecaps midfielder Kekuta Manneh fired a shot from outside the box that Troy Perkins had dive to keep out a mminute in, before Pedro Morales nearly snuck a free kick home on a shot that required a finger-tips save from the Montreal goalkeeper. Patrick Kerney Jersey. Things then started to open up a bit with 20 minutes to go as the teams finally found some inspiration. Vancouver striker Darren Mattocks flashed a shot wide in the 72nd minute before Impact midfielder Maxim Tissot hit the crossbar behind Ousted moments later. Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell then forced a fine save from Perkins off a corner five minutes later, and Jordan Harveys follow up hit the crossbar. Montreal found the woodwork again in the 83rd when striker Jack McInerney headed off the post following a free kick. "The top teams in the world dont play well every game," said Robinson. "Thats the reality of it. I think every game weve played (at home) weve been excellent. "We were not playing with an urgency and a tempo that we have done." Montreal also had an extended 14-day break, but an Impact team missing striker Marco Di Vaio and midfielders Justin Mapp and Calum Mallace because of injury were perhaps a bit unlucky not to be leading at halftime. Ousted was forced to make a one-handed save off a deflection in the fourth minute that easily could have found its way over the line. McInerney then sent a shot into the side netting of Ousteds goal in the 26th minute, before Mattocks fizzed a ball towards Perkins from a distance that didnt cause any trouble five minutes later. Montreals best chance to take the lead came in stoppage time when Ousted had to scramble to make two saves to keep things level heading to the locker-rooms. "Theyre not going to come here and lie over, and they didnt," said Robinson of the Impact. "They thoroughly came and probably got something they deserved." The Welshman added he wont dwell on the missed opportunity with a critical away game in Colorado set for the weekend. "Well put this one to bed," said Robinson. "I watched it once, and that was enough." Notes: Ousted and Perkins each picked up their third shutouts of the season. ... Whitecaps striker Erik Hurtado saw his streak of goals in five straight games come to an end. ... Mitchell started in place of Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit, who tore a ligament in his left ankle in the game on June 7. ... Montreals next game is Sunday at home against the Houston Dynamo. ... Montreal has had a disastrous MLS campaign so far, but did win this years Amway Canadian Championship. ... Vancouvers two losses in MLS play is tied for second lowest with Real Salt Lake. ... Attendance at B.C. Place Stadium was 21,000. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '